Tag Archives: Rugby

Munster head coach, Johann van Graan, has defended the form of his players involved in Ireland’s Six Nations campaign as they prepare to return to the provincial camp. The performances of many Munster players including Conor Murray, CJ Stander and Peter O’Mahony were criticised through the disappointing campaign, especially during last week’s loss to Wales in the Principality Stadium. The Irish …

We are just one day away from ‘Super Saturday’ when the winner of the Guinness Six Nations 2019 will be decided. All eyes will be on Cardiff in the second game where Wales take on Ireland with the Grand Slam in their sight. Ahead of the 2.45pm kick-off, we asked you to choose your combined XV from the named starting …

CJ Stander has admitted that he would prefer to see the roof in the Principality Stadium in Cardiff closed for tomorrow’s pivotal Guinness Six Nations game between Wales and Ireland. Traditionally, the decision on whether the roof remains open or closed lies with the visiting team and speaking to the media in Carton House yesterday, Ireland head coach, Joe Schmidt, …

Wales and Ireland have named their teams for the Guinness Six Nations Grand Slam deciding game in the Principality Stadium on Saturday. Liam Williams has been passed fit to play as Warren Gatland named an unchanged side from that which beat Scotland in Murrayfield last weekend. Captain Alun Wyn Jones will equal Welshman Gethin Jenkins’ total test appearance record as …

Joe Schmidt has named a 37-man squad for Ireland’s Guinness Six Nations game against France in the Aviva Stadium on Sunday. The big news stemming from the squad announcement is that Sean Cronin has been left out of the squad in favour of Ulster’s Rob Herring. Leinster out-half, Ross Byrne, returns to the squad following his exclusion from the opening …

Munster scrum-half, Neil Cronin, has made quite a leap in the last 12 months from playing with Garryowen in the All Ireland League to signing a full-time professional contract with the province. The move from teaching to living and breathing rugby every day was a huge adjustment for the then 25-year-old but one is was more than happy to embrace …

Munster flanker, Fineen Wycherley, is determined to enjoy the opportunities that come his way with the province’s Irish contingent on Six Nations duty. The back row is currently a very competitive line at the moment but a mixture of players in Ireland camp and injuries has ensured that the Bantry native retains his spot for the province’s PRO14 clash with …

Darren Sweetnam is hoping that with the Ireland contingent away on Six Nations duty, he can nail down a spot on the Munster starting team and eventually impress Joe Schmidt. The Cork native made his international debut during the 2017 Autumn Internationals coming on as a replacement for Rob Kearney before making his first start against Fiji. Sweetnam’s third cap came …

Munster head coach, Johann van Graan, has insisted that his side will need to be “really top-notch” to secure an away win against Ospreys on Friday. All four teams at the top of Conference A are in action against each other with Connacht set to face second-place Glasgow in Scotstoun Stadium, also on Friday. With only two points between themselves …

Leinster winger, Fergus McFadden, has returned to full team training as the province continue preparations for Saturday’s PRO14 clash with Zebre in Stadio Zaffanella. The 32-year-old hasn’t featured since suffering a “high grade” hamstring injury during a training session in mid-October. McFadden will be assessed as the week goes on but could be available to feature in this weekend’s game. …

Simon Zebo says it’s “good to watch” teams playing on the edge when they target key players like Johnny Sexton, while he admitted that he thought Romain Poite reffed Saturday’s game well. The Ireland out-half took a heavy hit from Allan Dell and left the field after just 24 minutes for a head injury assessment, which he subsequently failed. As …

Gregor Townsend and Joe Schmidt have named their respective teams for tomorrow’s Guinness Six Nations clash between Scotland and Ireland at BT Murrayfield. Schmidt has been forced into making a number of changes with Robbie Henshaw, Devin Toner, CJ Stander, and Garry Ringrose all ruled out through injury following last week’s loss to England. Into the Ireland team comes Jack Conan, …

Scotland head coach, Gregor Townsend, has made four changes to his side to face Ireland in BT Murrayfield on Saturday in the second round of the Guinness Six Nations. Sean Maitland has recovered from a knee injury and replaces Blair Kinghorn, who scored a hattrick of tries against Italy last weekend. The 30-year-old rejoins Tommy Seymour and Stuart Hogg in …

The excitement is rising ahead of tomorrow’s Guinness Six Nations clash between Ireland and England in the Aviva Stadium. In anticipation of the game, and following yesterday’s team announcements, we asked you to select the best combined XV from the two teams. The results are in and Ireland lead the way in the team with nine representatives on the team. …

Former Republic of Ireland player and assistant manager, Roy Keane, sat down with ex-Munster star, Donncha O’Callaghan to discuss life after retirement for a new Virgin Media documentary entitled, ‘Game Over: True Lives’. During the interview, Keane, who is set to join up again with Martin O’Neill at Nottingham Forrest, discussed a range of topics including his attitude as a player, adjusting to …

South African-born Paul Willemse will make his debut for France in Friday’s Six Nations opener against Wales in Paris. Willemse, a 2012 junior world champion with the Baby Boks, arrived on French soil in 2014 as a 21-year-old, so fulfilling the three years of residency required by World Rugby regulations. He received his French passport in November and will become …

Peter Stringer has said Ireland will look to get under the skin of ‘hothead’ England captain Owen Farrell when the teams meet in their Six Nations clash in Dublin. The build-up to Saturday’s match, which sees defending Six Nations Grand Slam champions Ireland up against an improving England at the start of a year culminating with the World Cup in …

There are so many photographs from Ireland’s triumphant Grand Slam win in Twickenham last year that will stay with Irish rugby fans for a long time to come. Rory Best lifting the trophy with Johnny Sexton holding the Tripe Crown plate, players embracing their families and Ireland fans preparing themselves for the celebrations that were to come. However, one photograph …